Why People Invest With Britannias
Synopsis
First introduced in gold in 1987, with the silver variant following in 1997, the Britannia now holds the proud position as the UK's flagship bullion from The Royal Mint, but what is so special about it?
In this blog we look over the key reasons why people choose to invest with Britannias time and again, and the benefits of doing so.
Why Do People Invest with Britannias?
In short, the reasoning for the popularity of Britannias can be broken down in-to three simple points:
- Exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT).
As with all Royal Mint bullion coins, the Britannia coin range showcases a pound (£) denomination, allowing the coins to be classified as legal UK pound sterling tender.
- Trusted, government-backed bullion from the world-renowned Royal Mint.
Tracing its history back to approximately 886 AD under King Alfred the Great, The Royal Mint has been a mainstay in global coinage for centuries and as such its bullion is recognised worldwide, bringing liquidity and trust in its products.
- Available in a variety of metal and sizes to allow for full flexibility when investing.
The Britannia design currently features on gold, silver and platinum coins, with a number of sizes available within the gold and silver ranges. This allows for full flexibility in choosing exactly how much money the customer wants to invest.
However, as with everything, people will also have personal reasoning behind their decisions. From wanting to support UK business or simply preferring the design of Britannia coinage over other bullion, whenever making a investment decision it's important you choose the right option for you, with more information available through our blog, How to Invest in Gold for Beginners.
We also recommend staying up-to date with the current precious metal prices through our spot price pages.
The History of the Britannia
Lady Britannia made her first appearance on Roman coins in 119 AD, during the Roman era under the rule of Emperor Hadrian but disappeared after the collapse of the Roman Empire.
She reappeared during the reign of King Charles II, and has since featured under every subsequent British monarch.
The current Britannia bullion design, present from the coin's inception and designed by sculptor and medallist, Philip Nathan, was based on an engraving by George William De Saulles which first featured on the British Trade Dollars in the late nineteenth century.
What are the Security Benefits of Britannia Bullion?
The Britannia bullion coin range has experienced many changes through the years, from different alloys being used across both the gold and silver range to the implementation of cutting-edge security features. The Britannia is at the forefront of bullion design and is some of the most secure bullion in the world, with many of the coin range now featuring the following:
What are the Differences Between a Britannia Coin and Bar?
One of the first questions we often hear from new investors is which is better, coin or bar? For UK investors it can be typically be broken into the following:
 |
 |
| 2026 1 oz Gold Britannia Bullion Coin | 1 oz Gold Britannia 'Secure' Bullion Bar |
| Exempt from capital gains tax | NOT exempt from capital gains tax |
| Higher premiums | Lower premiums |
| Higher liquidity & resale potential | More efficient for bulk storage |
What About Silver Britannias?
Whilst the gold variant takes much of the limelight, the silver Britannia is just as impressive an addition to an investor's portfolio, now considered an esteemed 1 oz silver bullion option, showcasing world-leading security features..
Whilst silver Britannias do lack the inherent VAT-free benefits of their gold counterpart when purchasing new, the lower intrinsic value of silver poses an attractive option for those wanting a more affordable entry into investing. Seasoned investors may see silver as a viable way to diversify their portfolio, with silver's use as an industrial commodity being a driving force behind its price.
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What are Britannia Proof Coins?
When shopping on our website or checking our Latest Releases, you may have come across the term "proof" or even the Britannia proof range itself.
Proof coins are typically released in limited mintages and are suitable for collectors or those with numismatic interests. Although they still have an intrinsic value of the metal present, we don't recommend purchasing proof coins as an investment due to the premiums when purchasing.
Unlike their bullion counterpart, Britannia proof coins typically feature a different design with each release, showcasing the talents of many coin designers to work with The Royal Mint, such as Dan Thorne, Bradley Morgan Johnson and Emily Damstra.
Interested in different coin finishes? Check out our blog, What is Proof? An Overview of Coin Finishes.
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